System and method of using directed energy to monitor or manipulate a gaming device

ABSTRACT

A system and method for retrofitting an existing casino server and at least one server-based gaming machine in a room to make the gaming machine communicatively-interactive within a communication network (e.g., multi-media enabled), without the use of Wi-Fi, wherein there is an existing data/communication exchange (e.g., DSL) between the existing server and the at least one server-based gaming machine. The system includes a pair of network switches, where one is hardwired to the existing server and other is hardwired to the gaming machine or machines. A pair of data exchange relay nodes is communicatively connected to their respective switch and transmits/receives data up to Gigabits through a directed energy beam, such as an infrared laser beam. A security globe may be used to conceal the server side data exchange relay node(s) or the gaming machine-side data exchange relay nodes, or both.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/437,710, filed Jan. 31, 2011, and entitled “A method ofusing directed energy to monitor or manipulate a gaming device.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a system and method ofmonitoring gaming machines in a casino, more specifically the presentinvention is directed to providing a new interactive data/communicationlink between the gaming machines and the casino server through a beam ofdirected energy, such as an infrared laser beam.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most casino gaming floors consist of a variety of table games, randomnumber ticket games, and electronic gaming machines. Traditionally,electronic gaming machines, also known as slot machines, have beenoperated by a lever on the side of the gaming machine or a button on thefront panel. More modern gaming machines are operated by touching agraphical button located on a touch-sensitive video screen on the frontof a gaming machine. These modern gaming machines can be dynamicallyupdated to display not only the main game being played, but alsoadditional video, graphical, Internet, or background (e.g., playertracking, accounting) content. Many of the newer gaming machines havemore interactive features where access to the Internet is desired.

In order to monitor and provide updated content to the gaming machines,casino operators physically connect the gaming machines, using Ethernetcable, to central servers that contain specialized security protocols orvarious types of content. Physical, or hardwired connections, such asEthernet cable, are customarily used to exchange data between centralservers and gaming machines on casino floors since hardwired connectionsare more secure than wireless data exchange mechanisms, such as Wi-Fi,that can be intercepted, redirected or hacked by a skilled networkspecialist.

One of the primary technologies used in a modem casino for data transferis DSL (Digital

Subscriber Line), a means of transferring high-speed communications(currently up to 12 megabits per second) over a regular phone line. In atypical casino, a DSL cable, (AKA telephone wire) is run underneath thecarpet of a casino floor, with padding placed on top of it forprotection. However, due to the high-traffic nature of casino floors,degradation of the cable eventually occurs, which results in decreaseddata exchange speed and quality over time. As well, the speedlimitations of DSL, while well suited to delivering player tracking andaccounting data, currently pose a problem when trying to delivermultiple large multimedia and other data streams to groups of players atthe same time.

Alternately, Ethernet cable is run along the ceiling of a casino roomand concealed using a drop ceiling. Ethernet cable is then dropped fromthe ceiling through a conduit to a bank of machines that is often timeslocated ten or more feet below the ceiling, since many casinos have highceilings. This can result in dozens of unsightly conduits or Ethernetcable lines.

One solution is to take the gaming machines out of service and off acasino floor in order to build a raised floor under which new Ethernetcable can be run that can then be connected to each bank of gainingmachines. However, electronic gaming machines are one of the mostpopular gaming methods in casinos and constitute a large portion of U.S.casino operators' income. Taking gaming machines offline to conduct suchinfrastructure improvements would not only result in millions of dollarsin direct renovation costs, but also lost revenue from offline gamingmachines.

802.11 technologies, also known as “Wi-Fi”, have also been consideredfor use on a casino gaming floor. There have been several problemsslowing the adoption of this technology. Wi-Fi data is readable fromanywhere within the range of the data transmission, and since thisnecessarily includes the casino floor, simple things like telephones,tablets and other electronic devices can interfere with the signalinadvertently or through malicious intent. Malicious interference canpresent a large problem, as there is no way to distinguish betweensimple noise and legitimate signals. Massive Wi-Fi networks suffer fromperformance problems due to CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) andTDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) errors in data transmission. Thisis known as the Near-Far problem. Due to these problems, operators havegiven pause in the selection of this technology for the gaming floor.

Therefore, a need exists for a system and method that leverages existingserver and communication networks white allowing casino operators tosecurely control and monitor gaming machines without expensiveinfrastructure improvements using the current means of physical dataexchange.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a system and method forretrofitting a casino gaming room having an existing server and existinggaming machines, such as slot machines, in order to make the existinggaming machines communicatively interactive, (e.g., multi-media) withoutdisruption of the existing communication system, without majorinfrastructure cost, and without having to take the gaming machinesoffline. Alternatively, the present communication/network system may beinstalled as the primary communication network between casino serversand the gaming machines that need to be monitored and manipulated anddoes not require existing infrastructure. Here, the term manipulated isnot intended to impart a negative connotation, but rather the ability tocontrol the gaming machine as the casino owner/operator so intends.

The system of the present invention includes the addition of two networkswitches, where each network switch is hardwired (such as throughEthernet cable) to a respective server (or plurality of servers) andgaming machine, or bank of gaming machines, that are to be, controlledby the server or servers. Each network switch is communicativelyconnected to at least one data exchange relay node. Each server-sidedata exchange relay node is paired with a corresponding gamingmachine-side data exchange relay node and positioned relative to eachother in order to transmit and receive a directed energy beamtherebetween. The directed energy beam may be an infrared laser beam,visible light beam, electromagnetic radiation, or sound. In this way,the data/communication transmitted between the pair of respectivenetwork switches and the pair of respective data exchange relay nodesvia the directed energy beam allow for the monitoring and manipulationof data/communications between the server and the respective gamingmachines at up to Gigabit speed.

In one form of the invention, the gaming machine-side switch may includeports to up to 48 gaming machines.

Each data exchange relay node may further include a data transmitter, areceiver, and a monitoring module. Each transmitter may also include anexternal “chimney” or other reflector to aid in directing the beamtoward the receiver of the corresponding data exchange relay nodereceiver.

In another form of the invention, the server-side switch may bepositioned within a ceiling of a casino room in which the gamingmachines are controlled. The server-side data exchange relay node ornodes may then be mounted to the ceiling within the casino room and arepositioned to transmit/receive data from corresponding gamingmachine-side data exchange relay node or nodes. An optional securityglobe may be used to conceal the server-side data exchange relay node ornodes, yet allow the transmission and receipt of each directed energybeam between corresponding pairs of server-side and gaming machine-sidedata exchange relay nodes.

In yet another form of the invention, each server-side data exchangerelay node may be physically connected to a mounting point through aswing bevel. In this embodiment, each mounting point is connected to theceiling of the casino room. The swing bevel allows for maximumflexibility with respect to the positioning of each server-side dataexchange relay node relative to its corresponding gaming machine-sidedata exchange relay node.

Further the invention may include a second security globe that concealsthe gaming machine-side data exchange relay node and, optionally, thegaming machine-side switch as well. In this embodiment, the securityglobe may be placed atop of a post that is at or near the gamingmachines or bank of gaming machines. The gaming machine-side dataexchange relay node is positioned within the second security globe totransmit and receive the directed energy beam from its correspondingserver-side data exchange relay node from within the first securityglobe. Similarly, the gaming machine-side data exchange relay node maybe connected to the post through a swing bevel and mounting point toallow maximum rotational and lateral flexibility to accurately align thegaming machine-side data exchange relay node to its correspondingserver-side data exchange relay node.

Each corresponding pair of data exchange relay nodes, whether concealedor not, are directed at each other in order to transmit and receive thedirected energy beam to the other. If each pair of corresponding dataexchange relay nodes is positioned relative to a planar floor and aplanar ceiling of the casino room and the planar floor and planarceiling are parallel to each other, the angle created by positioning theserver-side data exchange relay mode as measured from the ceiling andthe angle created by the gaming machine-side data exchange relay noderelative to the planar floor should be the same value.

The invention further includes a method of directing energy to make aserver-based gaming device interactive (e.g., multi-media enabled). Themethod includes adding a server network switch and a gaming machinenetwork switch and hardwiring, such as through Ethernet cable, to arespective casino gaming server and a casino gaming machine or bank ofmachines. The server and gaming machine(s) may be existing or newconstruction. The server network switch and gaming machine networkswitch are each communicatively connected to a pair of data exchangerelay nodes, where one relay node is the server relay node and the otheris the gaming machine relay node. Each set of relay nodes are positionedrelative to the other in order to transmit and receive a directed energybeam, such as infrared or visible light, electromagnetic radiation, orsound. The directed energy beam allows gigabits of data to betransmitted and received between the two relay nodes and ultimatelybetween the server and gaming machine(s). Other variations to thestructure are discussed above.

The method further includes a ping test that allows the casinooperations to test whether the beam has been interrupted. If the beamhas been interrupted such that it is not being transmitted or received,an alarm is triggered. Similarly, the method may further include apolarization test that allows the casino operations to test whether thedirected beam wave intensity has diminished such that operation iscompromised. If the beam intensity is below a certain established level,an alarm will trigger.

In the event that the present invention multi-media network is aretrofit to an existing server and gaming machine(s) that werecontrolled and monitored through an existing communication system withtraditional DSL cables run under casino floor carpeting, the method mayfurther include removing the existing and unsightly and potentiallydangerous DSL cables under the carpets once the present inventionmulti-media network is in place.

The present system and method provide a low cost way to retrofitexisting casino gaming machine to make it interactive (multi-mediaenabled) without taking the existing gaming machines offline.Additionally, because the system relies on a directed energy beam, thereis high security in the transmission—certainly much higher than Wi-Fi.Additional security can be provided with us of one or more securityglobes that conceal the gaming side switch and relay node from consumertampering and from view of the ordinary casino patron and the same forthe corresponding server side relay node or nodes. Further securityenhancements can be incorporated into the system to better detectsecurity breaches (e.g:, beam interruption, beam intensity diminution).

These and other advantages will become more apparent upon review of the.Drawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a configuration whereby an interactivedata/communications system of the present invention can be retrofittedto an existing casino server communication system that serves at leastone casino gaming machine whereby to make the existing casino gamingmachine interactive;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a casino room configuration wheremultiple banks of existing casino gaming machines are retrofitted withthe new interactive data/communication system wherein two switches andpairs of data exchange relay nodes transmit and receive data throughbeams of directed energy;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a representative (gaming machine-sideillustrated) data exchange relay node consisting of a data transmitter,a receiver, and a monitoring module;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a data exchange relaynode better illustrating the lens assembly for transmitting andreceiving;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of FIG. 4 with the internal componentsillustrated in cutaway;

FIG. 6 is a section view taken substantially along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4and better illustrating the lens assembly;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a plurality of server-sidedata exchange relay nodes transmitting a beam of directed energy to acorresponding gaming machine-side data exchange relay node (notillustrated) and wherein each server-side data exchange relay node maybe mounted to the ceiling of the casino room through a mounting pointand swing bevel and wherein all of the server side data exchange relaynodes related mounting components are shown concealed by an optionalsecurity globe;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram like that of FIG. 2 but illustrating anoptional second security globe concealing the gaming machine-side dataexchange node and gaming machine-side switch;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic view of the optional second securityglobe assembly;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of a gaming machine-side data exchangerelay node and its mounting components;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a pair of corresponding data exchangerelay nodes illustrating the representative angles for positioning thedirected beam of energy;

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating a ping test;

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating a polarization test; and

FIG. 14 is a block diagram like that of FIG. 1, except illustratinganother embodiment where the interactive data/communication casinonetwork is adapted for new casino systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a system and method forretrofitting an existing casino server(s) and gaming machinedata/communication network for interactively monitoring and manipulatingthe gaming machines through the existing server(s) without costlyinfrastructure upgrades or requiring that the gaming machines, gooffline during the retrofit. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the newinteractive data/communication system 100 includes adding networkswitches 102, 104, data exchange relay nodes 200, 300, and a directedbeam of energy 106 between the corresponding data exchange relay nodesbetween an existing casino server or servers 10 and existing gamingmachines 20 that are already communicatively connected, typicallythrough a DSL cable 30 that runs underneath carpeting 40 covering thefloor 50 of a casino room 60.

Interactive data/communications system 100 includes the addition of agaming machine-side network switch 102 and server-side network switch104, and a pair or pairs of data exchange relay nodes (gamingmachine-side) 200, (server-side) 300 that exchange data through a beamof directed energy 106. The beam of directed energy 106 may be infraredlight, visible light, electromagnetic radiation, or sound.

Gaming machine-side network switch 102 is hardwired, such as throughEthernet cable 108, to a corresponding gaming machine 20. Likewise,server-side network switch 104 is, hardwired to the server (or servers)10. Network'switches 102, 104 are communicatively connected torespective data exchange relay nodes 200, 300. Gaming machine-sidenetwork switch 102 is communicatively-connected to gaming machine-sidedata exchange relay node 200 and server-side network switch 104 iscommunicatively connected to server-side data exchange relay node ornodes 300. In one form of the invention, each network switch 102, 104 ishardwired, again through Ethernet cable 108, to its respective dataexchange relay node 200, 300.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, network switch 102 may be external of the,gaming machines 20 to accommodate interactive data/communicationexchange for more than one gaming machine 20. However, network switch102 may be installed internally of each gaming machine or in analternate embodiment discussed further herein.

Network switch 104, which is hardwired to the server or bank of servers,may be installed above the casino room 60's ceiling 110. Casino serveror bank of servers 10 may be in a special room or closet within thecasino room or in a different part of the casino. In this embodiment,Ethernet cable 108 runs from the server or servers overhead to switch104, which is then preferably hardwired to a corresponding data exchangerelay node 300 or a bank of corresponding data exchange relay nodes 300that is/are mounted at or near ceiling 110 but positioned within casinoroom 60 generally centrally of gaming machines or banks of gamingmachines 20.

As schematically illustrated in the broken lines of FIG. 2, the gamingmachine-side network switch 102 and the gaming machine-side dataexchange relay node may be combined into a single unit. Network switch102 may be ported to up to 48 gaming machines.

Referring also FIGS. 3-6, a representative data exchange unit isillustrated. For clarity, the gaming machine-side data exchangenomenclature is used, although each data exchange relay node 200, 300can be identical to each other. FIG. 3 shows a schematic representationof the main components of the data exchange relay node 200. Relay node200 may consist of a data transmitter 202, a receiver 204, and amonitoring module 206.

The directed beam of energy transmission may be like that of RONJAtechnology developed by Twibright Laboratories of Zurich, Switzerlandand Prague, Czech Republic.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, illustrations of one embodiment of the relaynode 200 (or 300) are shown. Relay node 200 further includes a lensassembly 208 (receptor transmitter marked 208A and receptor marked 208B)with polarization plate 210, an LED 212 for emitting a laser beam 214,preferably infrared, a photodiode 216, a laser guide mount 218, acontrol circuit 220 (the monitoring module which includes a light (wave)level sensor), a power source 222, a cable jack 224 (e.g., Ethernetcable jack RJ45), and an enclosure case 226. Control circuit 220includes a transmitter chip 220A and a receiver chip 220B, which may belike the RONJA control circuits disclosed in Appendix A and Appendix B,respectively. Control circuit 220 includes a twister chip 220C thatconverts the LED transmissions to Ethernet, such as disclosed in theRONJA twister control circuit in Appendix C. In addition to thepolarization plate 210 (FIG. 6), lens assembly 208 further includes aninput lens 228 and an output lens 230, that may be convex for a focallength of 20 meters. A chimney 232 functions as a reflector to directthe energy (laser) beam.

The component parts are generally considered off the shelf items. TheLED may be similar to LUMILEDS SuperFlex HPWT LED series. The photodiodemay be similar to VISHAY Semiconductors' BPW34 series or OSRAM's SFH 203series.

Referring also to FIG. 7, data exchange relay node 200 receives datafrom and transmits data to its corresponding (or partner) data exchangerelay node 300 via the beam of directed energy 106. A plurality ofpartner data exchange relay nodes 300 may be grouped and concealed by asecurity globe 400 that would conceal the group of relay nodes, butwould allow the beam of directed energy 106 to pass through the securityglobe to be received by a corresponding relay node 200. In one form ofthe invention, the security globe may be or be like a disco ball thathas opaque properties with respect to regular light but is transparentto infrared light. Further the disco ball appearance will likely blendin with the decor of many existing and new casinos.

Each server-side relay node 300 may be attached to a mount point 302 viaa swing bevel 304. According to one embodiment of the invention, themount point 302 is attached to casino room ceiling 110. Each mount pointis communicatively connected, such as through Ethernet cable, to switch108. The swing bevel allows for rotational and lateral movement in orderto align the lens assembly transmitter and receptor to align with itscorresponding gaming machine-side relay node 200.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, an optional embodiment is illustrated wherea second security globe or globes 402 are added on the gamingmachine-side. The gaming side security globe assembly 404 conceals thegaming machine-side data exchange relay 200 (illustrated with its lensassembly and LED 212 shown in broken lines. Relay node 200 is mounted toa mounting point 234 and swing bevel 236, similar to those illustratedat “302” and “304”, respectively, in FIG. 7. Mounting point 234 isattached to a base 238, such as by a restraining bolt and fly washerassembly 240, as illustrated. Base 238 is attached to a post 242 thatprovides structural support for the security globe 402 and the relaynode 200, but also includes the cabling and circuit control boards 244.The Ethernet cable 108 from the relay node 200 connects with the circuitcontrol boards 244. Post 242 may be seated atop a base 246 to which itand the gaming machines may be atop of. Ethernet cable 108 may be guidedby a wire guide 247 in base 246. Base 246 may include the gaming machineside switch 102 and an Ethernet jack 248 (which may be like the Ethernetjack designated 224). An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 250 isconnected to each gaming machine 20 to avoid power shutdown when addingthe new system components to the existing casino server-gaming machinesystem.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a relay station 200 is paired to a relay node300 by equating the inside angle “α” created by the imaginary plane 112,which is parallel to the floor 50, and the beam of directed energy 106,with the inside angle “β” created by the imaginary plane 114, which isparallel to the ceiling 110, and the beam of directed energy 106. If thefloor 50 and the ceiling are parallel to each other, the angles α and βare equal. However, the angles will be determined by the specific casinoroom requirements and where the gaming machine-side relay node ispositioned relative to the server-side relay node.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the gaming machine monitoring method 1000and 2000 consist of server side software for monitoring thecommunication between each data exchange relay node 200, 300. Eachmethod is testing for whether a defect (fault) has occurred.

The flow diagram of FIG. 12 illustrates a ping test that monitors andtests for beam interruption where an alarm would trigger. A paired andsynchronized relay node 200 or 300 starts in block 1200. In block 1200,the casino data network operator may set the ping anomaly frequencythreshold variable, X2, at server 10. The ping anomaly frequencythreshold variable, X2, is the number of consecutive anomalies that willgrant the condition of the alarm being tripped. In block 1300, a casinodata network operator may set a ping timing threshold variable X3 andping anomaly frequency threshold X2 at the server. The ping timingthreshold variable X3 is measured in milliseconds, preferably betweenone and 100 milliseconds. In block 1400, a casino data network operatortransmits a ping from the server 10 to the server-side relay node 300.In decision block 1500, the software depicted by gaming machinemonitoring method 1000 transmits a ping from a server 10 to a connectedrelay node 300 wherein the relay node monitoring module (such as theschematic representation identified as “206”) receives and transmits theping and then listens for a response ping from the corresponding dataexchange relay node monitoring module. If the ping is returned withinthe ping timing threshold X3, the gaming machine monitoring methodreturns to block 1400. If the ping is not returned, a counter X4 isincremented, until the timing threshold is reached. Once the timingthreshold is reached, the alarm is tripped as illustrated in block 1600.

The invention further includes a polarization test that detects adecrease in the beam 106 (or wave) intensity. Referring to FIG. 13, acasino data network operator may set the polarization tolerancevariable, Z1, at each server 10 for content being transmitted toserver-side relay node 300 as illustrated in block 2100. Thepolarization tolerance variable, Z1, is a signal strength measured as apercentage of the initial beam signal strength set at each relay nodeand is preferably set to a value between one and ten percent. A lightlevel sensor (LLS) [or wave level sensor] at block 2200 senses the beamintensity level and a determination is made if the LSS level is belowthreshold Z1. If so, an alarm is tripped (block 2500).

The polarization test may also include an intermediate step to accountfor anomalies as taken at blocks 2110, 2300 and 2400 where anincremental anomaly threshold, Z2 (e.g., 2-3 anomalies) is set by the acasino data network operator at a server 10 as illustrated in block2110. A counter measurement of the number of anomalies is taken at block2300 and compared to whether the increment counter exceeds the anomalycount threshold Z2 in block 2400. If the number of counted incrementalanomalies exceeds the incremental anomaly threshold Z2, the alarm (atblock 2500) is tripped.

Because specks of dust or an insect may unintentionally decrease thebeam intensity for a very small increment of time, the polarization testmay also include a short delay before the alarm is tripped. Referring toblock 2120 of FIG. 13, a sensor repeat delay variable, Z3, may be setagain at the server. The LSS determines the number of anomalies andwaits the set amount variable Z3 in block 2250. The period of delay isin terms of five to 15 milliseconds, similar to the timing range as inthe ping test. Once the period of delay as set by variable Z3 has run,the anomaly counter in block 2300 is compared to the Z2 threshold. Ifthe anomaly increment count exceeds the Z2 threshold, the alarm istripped (block 2500).

Referring now again to FIGS. 1 and 2, once the retrofitted interactivedata/communications network is installed between the server and thegaming machine(s), the existing DSL communication system may be removedaltogether or may continue to act as a secondary backup system.

An optional reflector 116 (FIG. 2), such as a mirror, may be installedin the casino room to provide additional beam direction in the eventthat space constraints exist.

Referring also to FIG. 14, the present interactive data/communicationssystem and method may be applicable to new casino servers and gamingmachines. New server or servers 130 and new gaming machines 140 may beinstalled along with the interactive data/communication network asdescribed above.

Advantages of the present interactive data/communications system includethe ability to effectively and inexpensively retrofit existing casinogaming machines without taking the casino machines off-line. Further,the new interactive data/communication system and method is highlysecure and can be used in new construction or original equipmentmanufacturing (OEM) applications.

The illustrated embodiments are only examples of the present inventionand, therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understood that manychanges in the particular structure, materials, and features of theinvention may be made without departing, from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Therefore, it is the Applicant's intention that hispatent rights not be limited by the particular embodiments illustratedand described herein, but rather by the following claims interpretedaccording to accepted doctrines of claim interpretation, including theDoctrine of Equivalents and Reversal of Parts.

1. A system for retrofitting an existing casino server and at least oneserver-based gaming machine in a room of a casino to make the gamingmachine and interactive within a communication network, wherein there isan existing data/communication exchange between the existing server andthe at least one server-based gaming machine; said system comprising: agaming machine network switch that is hardwired with communication cableto the at least one existing gaming machine; a gaming machine dataexchange relay node that is communicatively connected to the gamingmachine network switch and that such data exchange can be monitored andmanipulated; a corresponding server data exchange relay node that iscommunicatively connected to the gaming machine data exchange relay nodevia a directed energy beam and that such data exchange can be monitoredand manipulated; a server network switch that is hardwired withcommunication cable between the server data exchange relay node and theexisting server.
 2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the directedenergy beam is one of the following: infrared light, visible light,electromagnetic radiation, or sound.
 3. The system according to claim 1wherein the directed energy beam is a low-energy infrared laser beam. 4.The system according to claim 1 wherein the server network switch isconcealed outside of the room and the server data exchange relay node ispositioned within the casino room; and the system further comprising asecurity globe to conceal the server data exchange relay node from viewbut allows the directed energy beam to pass through the security globein order to transmit and receive data exchanged with its correspondinggaming machine data exchange relation node.
 5. The system according toclaim 4 wherein each server data exchange relay node is connected to amounting point connected to the ceiling and communicatively connected tothe server switch via a swing bevel that allows the server data exchangerelay node a range of rotational and lateral movement and wherein thesecurity globe conceals the mounting point, swing bevel, and server dataexchange relay node from view of an ordinary casino patron while in theroom.
 6. The system according to claim 4 wherein each gaming machinedata exchange relay node is concealed within a second security globe. 7.The system according to claim 1 wherein each data exchange relay nodefurther includes a data transmitter, a receiver, and a monitor module.8. The system according to claim 7 wherein each data exchange relay nodefurther includes an LED, a photodiode, a lens assembly having atransmitter lens and a receptor lens, control circuit, power source, andcommunication link.
 9. The system according to claim 8 wherein the lensassembly further includes a chimney reflector for the transmitter lensand receptor lens.
 10. The system according to claim 1 wherein anexternal reflector may be added to aid in directing the energy beam. 11.A system for making one or more server-based gaming machines multi-mediaenabled; said system comprising: a gaming machine network switch that ishardwired with communication cable to the at least one existing gamingmachine; a gaming machine data exchange relay node that iscommunicatively connected to the gaming machine switch; a correspondingserver data exchange relay node that is communicatively connected to thegaming machine data exchange relay node via a directed energy beam; aserver network switch that is hardwired with communication cable betweenthe server data exchange relay node and a server that controls the oneor more gaming machines.
 12. A method for providing a multi-mediacommunication network between one or more casino servers and at leastone server-based gaming machine within a casino room; said methodcomprising: providing a pair of network switches, wherein one networkswitch is hardwired to the at least one server and the other networkswitch is hardwired to the at least one gaming machine; providing a pairof data exchange relay nodes that are capable of transmitting andreceiving a data signal through a directed beam of energy and beingmonitored, wherein said pair of data exchange relay nodes are eachcommunicatively connected between the two network switches; positioningthe one data exchange relay node near the gaming machine and the otherdata exchange relay node apart from the other data exchange relay node,but within the casino room, so that the two data exchange relay nodesare aligned in order to transmit the directed beam of energy to thereceptor of the corresponding data exchange relay node and vice-versa;and monitoring the data exchange between the server and the gamingmachine.
 13. The method according to claim 12 further comprising: addinga ping test to test for the presence or absence of the directed energybeam comprising the steps of: setting a ping timer for an acceptablethreshold limit for when ping signal must be received; sending out aping signal via the server through the data exchange relay node, nearthe server; determining if the ping signal returned to the pinging dataexchange relay node from the data exchange relay node near the gamingmachine was within the accepted threshold level; and tripping an alarmwhen the ping signal did not return within the threshold limits.
 14. Themethod according to claim 12 further comprising adding a polarizationtest to determine if the beam intensity is diminished below anestablished threshold level by: setting a polarization tolerance thatmeasures acceptable beam intensity level at the server; sensing the beamintensity of the energy beam transmitted from the data exchange relaynode closest to the server to the corresponding data exchange relaynode; determining if the beam intensity level is within the, setpolarization tolerance; and tripping the alarm if the sensed beamintensity level is below the set tolerance.
 15. The method according toclaim 13 further comprising the incremental step of setting a thresholdanomaly count, sensing incremental anomalies, counting each incrementalanomaly, and comparing the sensed incremental count to the thresholdanomaly count, and triggering the alarm if the determined incrementalanomaly count exceeds the threshold anomaly count.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 15 further comprising setting a sensor repeat delayin a small increment of time and delaying the polarization test theamount of the sensor repeat delay before the final incremental anomaliesare counted and compared to the threshold anomaly count, and wherein thealarm is triggered if the determined incremental anomaly count exceedsthe threshold anomaly count.
 17. The method according to claim 16wherein the sensor repeat delay is set within a range of 1 to 100milliseconds.